Boat runs 80-82GPS. We were right at 80 today with 3 guys and half bag of gas in 1-1.5 footers.

This is a PHENOMINAL BOAT. The new hull process and overall redistribution of weight on the big Sonics is fantastic. My Sonic always has the nose in the air. This boat never once raised the bow, even when trimming the drives out. I never touched the K-planes. When you trimmed out the drives, it just went faster. Never once felt loose, or light. Drives were spinning out, and handling around the docks was excellent, even in the tight confines of Red Eyes Dock Bar. Handling was amazing. It turned like it was on rails at 65-70 mph. This is not a stepped boat, and it never felt light. It stuck like glue in the corners.

The new 525s are AMAZING! I am SO JEALOUS over my 500EFI. The motors are more crisp, more responsive, and more smooth over the entire throttle range; not to mention the power increase.

Thank you everyone at Offshore Performance; very much; for the hospitality at the Open House. These bunch of folks are truly top notch. Expanding boat lines and expanding facilities are in the very, very, new feature. Couple that with the new changes to the Cigarette and Sonic boat lines, (yes, Sonic has surprises coming at Miami!!); Bill Proctor and his bunch are going to be a force to be reckoned with for a long time!

Brian, that new boat sounds awesome! I've been anxious to hear how the 525's were going to perform. I forgot about the Open House today...I'm kicking myself right now
Is an upgrade in the near future for you?

I honestly can't compare power to power between a 500EFI and 525 EFI, (my boat is a single 500EFI, and this boat is a twin 525EFI), BUT here is what I was told today, by Hugh:

Hugh met with the Mercury Racing reps at the Donzi dealer's meeting a few weeks ago. This is an exact quote; per hand gestures; by the MR rep:

"If the difference between the HP500EFI and the HP525EFI is this much:
-->l_______________l<--
the difference between the 525EFI and the 575SC is this much:
-->l_______l<-- "

Translated per Hugh, the 525EFI is really making around 550HP at the crank. The notion is these things are so close to the 575SC already, why would some folks go for the 575SC now? To have turnkey reliable, NON BLOWN power, and save youself 15 grand a motor; why not go with 525EFIs. The word from MR is the 500EFI will be available for AT LEAST another year from today. Is MR looking to condense their lineup a bit? Who knows, but I bet they are going to watch the sales graphs VERY closely for the next year, and see what normal 500EFI and 575SC purchases are trending toward the HP525EFI. They put a lot of work into this motor, and you can tell that before you even engage the starter. The 525s are everything I mentioned above. They are super smooth. You plant the sticks and the tachs stay there. Every little MM of movement in the stick can be seen in the tach. My 500EFI is not that responsive. The 500EFI is not obsolete however; the 525EFI IMHO, nicely compliments it.

Mark, we ran some numbers. We will have to see where cards fall. I have a LOT of things going on right now. I am going straight for a 35-38 foot boat next, so we will have to see when my checkbook is ready to match my aspirations. I purposely over-trucked for what I need right now, to get me by for a bigger boat.

catmando,
Richard Hewitt is the President, and I met him in Annapolis. This has to be the nicest guy in executive boating that I have ever met. He and I have talked on the phone once or twice since we met, and how often do you get to do that with the President of a company? The 45 with the new hull and the 825 Diesels has not even been completely dialed in yet. That is how busy they are down there building boats, and *new stuff*. I can't wait for their show-buster(s) in Miami this year.